Page 2 of Once Written in Gilded Blood

“It is done.” The Fates slammed the book shut and grinned in a way that left the goddess worried for what she’d just done. Jupiter must never find out—he disapproves of tampering with the world below the heavens. But she could not turn a blind eye to her daughter. Venus’s love for her was unconditional.

The goddess frowned and delicately touched her finger to Alira’s cheek. The child was sleeping and unconcerned with the world around her. Venus choked back tears when she set the demigod on the steps of Alzhor’s kingdom, placing the sheathed dagger she used for the ceremony on top of Alira’s blanket.

“May the sparrows be with you, my sweet Alira.”

Chapter 1

Alira

“Little godling.”

Kalel’s voice echoes from his study. It’s adjacent to his apothecary room, the one I much prefer. It’s perfect for reading and having tea. Perhaps it’s the rich wood tones that everything seems to drown in, melancholic with the clutter of life.

The drapes are made of thick black fabric with large ruffles that reach the floor. Dark oak boards extend halfway up the wall, transitioning into gloomy patterned wallpaper that makes the room all the more intriguing. But nothing could top Kalel’s bookshelves taking up an entire wall, filled to the brim with glass bottles and jars of herbs, potions, and elixirs.

“I’m in here,” I call back to him, smiling as I run my finger across one of the middle shelves covered in dust.

His steps are loud as always, and he stops behind me, wrapping his arms gently around my chest. “I should’ve known you’d be in here.”

He really should have. It’s where I’ve spent a great deal of my time since arriving in the demon kingdom, Devicit. At least it is when we are here in his palace. I can’t help that I’m drawn to the charm of it—Kalel’s room of apothic exploration: all the notes pinned to the walls for study, the moths tacked to small frames, journals of intelligence that reveal a side of him I’ve yet to uncover.

“Honestly, I still can’t believe you’re an apothecary.” I turn to face him and try to hold back my amusement at how much he doesn’t fit the energy of the room. Kalel is built like a knight, as if he was always meant to be one. His tall bone structure, sharp features, and muscles could fool anyone. I suppose we aren’t all what we appear to be. Some of the most frightening creatures in this world are as gentle as lambs on the inside.

He chuckles and straightens the collar of my dress. I’ve grown used to wearing the bulky dresses in the last few months.

At first, it was impossible to get used to. I practically grew up in armor once I was out of the orphanage, so adjusting to dresses made of the finest silks was a bit of a shock to my system. But I’ve grown to admire the way they make me feel about myself, learning that there is more to me than just being a demigod knight who slays demons at the whim of her king.

The demon-folk are less afraid of me now than they were at first and smile more when I’m dressed as one of their ladies. It makes it much easier to explore the kingdom’s streets without feeling like I’m being watched carefully by a hundred eyes. Half the time, I think it makes me blend in too well.

Devicit has become the home I never thought I’d have. One I didn’t think I deserved after serving as a knight in Alzhor. The many wretched things I’ve done will stay with me forever, but time has proven to heal all wounds. Even the worst ones are slowly fading. Thornhall blooms in my mind for a moment before I banish the thought quickly.

I shouldn’t rustle up the bad things I’ve done. I can’t go back and change them. I cannot undo any of it no matter how much I want to. All that can be done is the next right thing. The good that has come since the time loop I was trapped in, like the journey to Devicit and how much I’ve evolved over that time. Experiencing the world from a new point of view, one with more roots embedded into the earth. Following wisps sent by the gods and marrying a demon in a cathedral in the heart of their kingdom.

Kalel presses his palm to my cheek and offers me a warm smile. “I hope to one day return fully to my studies. I’d much prefer being in here and out in the unknown, discovering new things the world has yet to show us, rather than training others how to kill and constantly having to keep our guard up from outside threats. It’s…tiring and wears on the soul.”

I can tell something’s weighing on his mind from the way he works his jaw and looks me over with thoughts storming his eyes. Even when he smiles, there’s something eating away at him. King Achill has been more demanding in the last several weeks, keeping Kalel away from the palace most of the time. I only get to see him in the evenings, sometimes not even for supper.

“I can’t even fathom what you would look like in civilian clothes. Did you wear glasses? What about suspenders?” I tease. He leans in and kisses me softly, only making me giggle in his arms as I try to wriggle away.

“Of course, what else would I wear? I certainly wouldn’t dress as I do when I’m off duty.” He reaches over to the old wooden desk in front of the window overlooking the gardens below. The peonies are bright and vibrant, as they always are, under the perfect weather that the veil maintains for the kingdom. It’s likely snowing and well below freezing out there, but one wouldn’t know that, being in this kingdom.

Kalel’s right. He wouldn’t be dressed like he is now if he were studying all the time. When he’s on his off time, he’s dressed impeccably. Collared undershirts that are fitted with rich-toned jackets that match his pants. Normally, they are lined with gold embroidery or fancy jewels, but today his dark-blue clothes are plainer. Which is a relief since he promised to take me around the shops later. He always gets pulled away by other dukes and court members for small talk when he’s dressed like them because he stands out.

It’s almost as if they don’t recognize him in his normal clothes or even when he is in his armor.

Kalel finds what he was looking for on the desk and takes a step back as he sets a pair of rounded glasses on his face.

It completely changes how he looks, and all of a sudden I can easily picture him collecting all these herbs and books. His dark locks of hair fall just long enough over his forehead to reach the midpoint on the glasses.

“I think I like you better this way.” I step closer to him and tilt his chin down, so he fully looks at me. His pupils grow wide and he swallows.

“Really?” he says with disbelief as the glasses slide down his nose a little. His golden eyes brighten as I smile.

“You seem more like yourself this way, husband,” I whisper against his lips.

Kalel chuckles, his warm breath teasing my lips. “I like it when you call me your husband,” he murmurs just as softly as he kisses away my smile until I’m starting to forget about the clock and where we’re meant to be in thirty minutes. His hand slides up my waist, and he pulls me closer.

“We don’t have time for this.” I slip from his embrace and shoot him a playful glance. A pain throbs in my lower stomach, my heat making itself known again. The need for him to fill me is overwhelming.